DEAR SUN SPOTS: New Beginnings Holiday Drive is gearing up again! For our 2021 Holiday Gift Drive, we need your help to create holiday care packages. You can help homeless youth at New Beginnings have a brighter holiday this year. Gift bags will be given to 100-plus youth in our shelter, transitional living, and outreach programs.

Each Holiday Care Package will contain the following new items: Adult-size hooded zippered sweatshirt (all sizes XS-XXXXL needed), waterproof winter gloves, deodorant, one pair earbuds, brush or comb, full-size liquid body wash, shampoo and conditioner, holiday candy, and reusable shopping bag.

If you donate prepared bags containing everything listed above, please label the outside of the bag with the hoodie size and intended gender (M, F, or X for gender-neutral). If donating care package contents for many youths, please keep each type of item together and hoodies individually marked by size/gender to make them easier for our team to distribute.

We are also seeking donations of these new items in adult sizes: warm winter socks, underwear, sweat pants, leggings, and pajama pants.

We also request power boost sticks, thumb drives, art supplies, watches, string bags, playing cards, games, slippers, coloring/game books, journals, jewelry, lotions, hair products, and other hygiene supplies such as combs, deodorant, liquid body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Gift cards for $5 or $10 to Dunkin’ and $20 to Walmart are also needed, as well as any denomination of gift cards to Hannaford, Shaw’s, Subway, McDonald’s, Burger King, Game Stop, Bull Moose, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar.

Drop-off dates are Dec. 16 from 2 to 6 p.m. and Dec. 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you prefer to shop online, Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchases to New Beginnings when you use our AmazonSmile link: smile.amazon.com/ch/01-0360077. Items purchased online can be shipped to: New Beginnings Holiday Drive, 134 College St., Lewiston, ME 04240. Please include a gift note with your name and contact information so we can thank you.

For more information call 795-4077 or https://newbeginmaine.org/2021-holiday-drive/ .

ANSWER: This sounds like a huge undertaking but I know Sun Spotters will be inspired and pitch in. May it be a big success!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My mother used to make peanut butter fudge that had saltine crackers in it. I think it also contained marshmallow cream, sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter.

I loved it because it wasn’t too sweet or too dry. I have reached out to extended family and no one is familiar with the recipe.  I’m wondering if any Sun Spots readers can help. — Anita, Sabattus

ANSWER: I found this recipe in a vintage Farm Bureau magazine. It doesn’t have condensed milk though. Readers, if you have a family recipe for this unique fudge, please send it in!

Peanut Butter Fudge with Saltines: Mix 2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Place 5 tablespoons peanut butter, 7 ounces marshmallow cream, and 24 broken (not crushed) saltines in a bowl. Pour the hot mixture over this and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Pour into a buttered pan and chill.

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